Anger and time perception in children.

The present study investigated age-related variations in judgments of the duration of angry facial expressions compared with neutral facial expressions. Children aged 3, 5, and 8 years were tested on a temporal bisection task using angry and neutral female faces. Results revealed that, in all age groups, children judged the duration of angry faces to be longer than that of neutral faces. Findings are discussed in the framework of internal clock models and the adaptive function of emotion. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Analysis of DNA Replication by Optical Mapping in Nanochannels

DNA replication is essential to maintain genome integrity in S phase of the cell division cycle. Accumulation of stalled replication forks is a major source of genetic instability, and likely constitutes a key driver of tumorigenesis. The mechanisms of regulation of replication fork progression have therefore been extensively investigated, in particular with DNA combing, an optical mapping technique that allows the stretching of single molecules and the mapping of active region for DNA synthesis by fluorescence microscopy. DNA linearization in nanochannels has been successfully used to probe genomic information patterns along single chromosomes, and has been proposed to be a competitive alternative to DNA combing. Yet this conjecture remains to be confirmed experimentally. Here, two complementary techniques are established to detect the genomic distribution of tracks of newly synthesized DNA in human cells by optical mapping in nanochannels. Their respective advantages and limitations are compared, and applied them to detect deregulations of the replication program induced by the antitumor drug hydroxyurea. The developments here thus broaden the field of applications accessible to nanofluidic technologies, and can be used in the future as part for molecular diagnostics in the context of high throughput cancer drug screening.     

Penetration of nanoparticles through fibrous filters perforated with defined pinholes

This paper presents experimental data for penetration of nanoparticles in the 4–30 nm size range through fibreglass filters perforated with defined pinholes at 5 and 15 cm/s. Results show that, when the filter is damaged, penetration increases with decreasing particle diameter. This lower performance is more significant for filters with high airflow resistance. A model explaining the experimental data has been designed based on balanced, laminar airflow inside the pinhole; these conditions were confirmed by detailed study. The experimental points agreed very closely with this model.     

On the Pre-oxidation Treatments of Four Commercial Ni-Based Superalloys in Air and in Ar–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O at 950 °C

The short-term oxidation behaviour of RA 602CA, Inconel 693, Manaurite 40XO and Sumitomo 696, which are four alloys recommended for hydrocarbon processing, was studied both in air and in Ar–H₂O to determine the conditions of pre-oxidation treatments. Regardless of the considered material, the oxidation rate at 950 °C was systematically higher in Ar–H₂O than in dry air. Surface examination of the Al-containing alloys indicated that they were not uniformly oxidized all over the surface. All Al-containing alloys (from 1.6 to 3.2% wt) formed an external protective alumina scale and behaved as alumina-forming alloys in dry air at 950 °C. In contrast, these alloys developed a rate-controlling chromia scale and severe internal oxidation in a H₂O-containing atmosphere. Compared with their oxidation behaviour in air + H₂O, the phenomenon was significantly enhanced in the atmosphere that coupled water vapour with a low oxygen pressure. Consequently, the Al-containing alloys should not be pre-oxidized in a water vapour atmosphere prior to long exposure to a corrosive atmosphere. In contrast, the chromia-forming Al-free 696 alloy exhibited identical oxidation behaviour in both atmospheres, demonstrating that the degradation of this alloy was not significantly affected by water vapour.     

Toward the first nonpeptidic molecular tong inhibitor of wild-type and mutated HIV-1 protease dimerization

Herein we describe the synthesis and HIV-1 protease (PR) inhibitory activity of 16 new peptidomimetic molecular tongs with a naphthalene scaffold. Their peptidic character was progressively decreased. Two of these molecules exhibited the best dimerization inhibition activity toward HIV-1 wild-type and multimutated ANAM-11 proteases obtained to date for this class of molecules (～40?nM for wild-type PR and 100?nM for ANAM-11 PR). Although the peptidic character of one molecular tong was completely suppressed, the mechanism of inhibition and inhibitory potency toward both proteases were maintained.     

Mechanisms of weight maintenance under high- and low-protein, low-glycaemic index diets

Scope: Weight maintenance after intended weight loss is a challenge in an obesogenic environment. In a large multicentre dietary intervention study (DiOGenes), it has recently been demonstrated that a high‐protein/low‐glycaemic index (HP/LGI) diet was slightly more efficient in maintaining weight loss than low‐protein/LGI or high‐GI (LP/LGI or HGI) diets. Here, we use a proteomic approach to assess the molecular mechanisms behind this positive effect. Methods and results: A subset of the most successful (weight loser, n=12) and unsuccessful (weight re‐gainer, n=12) individuals consuming the LGI diets with either high‐ or low‐protein content (HP or LP/LGI), following an initial calorie deficit run‐in weight loss phase, were analyzed at the plasma protein level. Proteomic analysis revealed 18 proteins regulated after 6 months of the dietary weight maintenance phase. Furthermore, 12 proteins were significantly regulated as a function of success rate under an HP diet, arising as candidate biomarkers of mechanisms of successful weight maintenance under an HP/LGI diet. Pregnancy‐zone protein (PZP) and protein S (PROS1) were revealed as novel biomarkers of weight maintenance showing opposite effects. Conclusion: Semantic network analysis of the 12 regulated proteins revealed that under an HP/LGI an anti‐atherogenic effect and alterations of fat metabolism were associated with the success of maintaining the initial weight loss.     

Mechanism of anodic oxidation of molybdenum in nearly-neutral electrolytes studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Anodic oxidation of molybdenum in weakly acidic, nearly neutral and weakly alkaline electrolytes was studied by voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic measurements in a wide potential and pH range. Current vs. potential curves were found to exhibit two pseudo-Tafel regions suggesting two parallel pathways of the dissolution process. Electrochemical impedance spectra indicated the presence of at least two reaction intermediates. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) results pointed to the formation of an oxide containing Mo(IV), Mo(V) and Mo(VI), the exact ratio between different valence states depending on potential and pH of the solution. A physico-chemical model of the processes is proposed and a set of kinetic equations for the steady-state current vs. potential curve and the impedance response are derived. The model is found to reproduce quantitatively the current vs. potential curves and impedance spectra at a range of potentials and pH and to agree qualitatively with the XPS results. Subject to further improvement, the model could serve as a starting point for the optimization of the electrochemical fabrication of functional molybdenum oxide coatings.     

Influence of Silicification on the Structural and Biological Properties of Buffer‐Mediated Collagen Hydrogels

A buffer‐mediated gelation route for collagen hydrogels that allows the formation of homogeneous composite and hybrid materials with various silica sources (i.e., colloidal silica and soluble silicates) at high concentration (up to 25 × 10^?3 M ) is described. Most significant improvement in rheological properties and proliferation of primary adult human dermal fibroblasts was obtained for the silicate‐based hybrid materials. A similar trend was observed in composite materials incorporating 14 nm SiO₂ nanoparticles, although to a much lesser extent, whereas larger colloids (80 and 390 nm) did not significantly impact mechanical stability and cell behavior. Modification of 80 nm particles surface with amine groups weakens the collagen‐mineral interface, resulting in the decrease of material stability and leading to particle aggregation during the course of cell proliferation experiments.     

A first quantitative XPS study of the surface films formed, by exposure to water, on Mg and on the Mg-Al intermetallics: Al3Mg2 and Mg17Al12

An XPS investigation was carried out of the surface films, formed by exposure to ultrapure water, on mechanically ground Mg and the two Mg-Al intermetallic compounds: Al₃Mg₂ and Mg₁₇Al₁₂. The mechanically ground Mg surface had a film of MgO at the Mg metal surface covered by a Mg(OH)₂ layer, formed by the reaction of the MgO with water vapour in the air. Upon immersion in ultrapure water, this film converted to a duplex film with an inner MgO layer next to the Mg metal and an external porous hydroxide layer. For both intermetallics, the XPS data is consistent with (i) preferential dissolution of Mg and (ii) a 10 nm thick film on the surface after immersion in ultrapure water; the film composition on Al₃Mg₂ was AlMg_1.4O_0.2(OH)_5.4 whilst on Mg₁₇Al₁₂ the composition was AlMg_2.5(OH)₈.     

Sensory profiles and preference analysis in ornamental horticulture: The case of the rosebush

The context of ornamental horticulture is considered in order to extend the techniques of sensory and preference evaluation by taking the rosebush as a plant model. In a preliminary study (Boumaza, Demotes-Mainard, Huché-Thélier, & Guérin, 2009), a sensory evaluation was conducted in order to set up a list of attributes. Subsequently, this list was adapted to assess 10 rosebushes. After the control of the panel performance using a multivariate strategy of analysis, the average scores were used in product mapping. The evaluation of the preferences with regard to these rosebushes was undertaken: 253 subjects were asked to rank the products by decreasing order of liking. Thereafter, the preference data were subjected to an internal preference mapping and a cluster analysis. Six homogeneous segments of consumers were eventually retained. By way of performing an external preference mapping, the average ranks were regressed upon the sensory attributes using principal component regression: the preferences of 67% of the consumers were satisfactorily explained by the attributes.